Why Is Good Posture So Important?

When your spine, bones, joints, and muscles are aligned into good posture, they’re less likely to break down over time. Breathing becomes easier and deeper as you open up your airwaves. Having proper posture helps improve circulation and even digestion, as your insides are allowed to move freely rather than being constricted by your improper body position. Poor posture over long periods of time can even lead to spine and nerve injuries as long-term constriction pinches the nerves in your back.

How often do you think about your posture? Chances are you don’t think about it all that much. Your days at the computer desk, hours running errands, or time spent with your kids all seem to fly by, and you might not have any idea how your posture looked and felt during all those days of activity.

We’re here to convince you that your posture is something you should be thinking about – each and every day. Not only does a good posture display a confident image, it provides immense physical benefits as well.

Of course, the first step in improving your posture is acknowledging that you need to start thinking about it. First step: complete! The next step is a bit trickier: finding and understanding your ideal posture. Ideally, having proper posture means your muscles are being held in a natural and neutral position. While some picture good posture as having a stiff back, that isn’t necessarily the case. A neutral spine is best for maintaining consistent, healthy posture all day through.

Once you feel the neutrality, imagine there’s a straight line through the top of the middle of your head heading down through the center of your hips and into your ankles. With feet shoulder-width apart, feel this natural stance in all its glory. If you tend to sit all day, make sure the computer screen stays at eye level, your feet are flat on the floor, and your forearms are parallel to the ground – then practice that neutral spine.

Set a timer to go off once per hour on your phone or computer as a time to check your posture. Chances are it will take a bit of time to get used to your proper, healthy posture – and that’s okay! The timer helps you check yourself to maintain a neutral spine the whole day through.

Take advantage of the benefits good posture has to offer. You never know what health issues it might solve… or how much happier it might make you!